Day 4: South Bend,WA to Seaside,OR
Miles on the road: 63
Wind: fierce headwind much of the trek....10-20 mph.....crazy wind action today.
Terrain: mostly flat with a few smaller hills
Weather: cold and rainy....temps in the mid 50's.....and it was really windy. Did I mention that?
# of times that I wanted my blankey: 4 or 5
# of ounces of a dirt/oil/rain mix (from the splash of the trucks) that I swallowed today: about a half gallon (64 oz)
WHAT LIFE ON THE ROAD CAN BE LIKE.........
I'd like to make you aware of a typical conversation that I probably have on a daily basis.....usually with an individual(s) 55 or older.......oftentimes these conversations will take place in a restuarant, gas station, motel lobby, or if I'm passing them in their car on my bike.
**Note, if you are older than 55 (like my wonderful parents) please do not take offense at this. I'm simply making
one aware of what life on the road is like. To be honest, I actually enjoy talking with the seniorworld. :)
Older Person: Where are you going?
Macho Man Randy Rand: I'm traveling from _____________ (wherever I started on that particular day) to ______________ (wherever I'll finish that day)
OP: Oooooh...aah....my oh my. (There is oftentimes a pause, or a puzzled look) and then they might blurt out something like this----"Ha! I have a hard time walking across the street sometimes".....OR....."25 years ago, I once rode a bike across the __________(whatever town they are from) and thought I was going pass out" OR "I think sometimes I'd get tired making that trip in my car"
Usually, the person will then laugh hysterically at themselves....as if they had just said something really really funny. If someone is with them, they will laugh too.
MMRR: At this point, I just try and give my best courtesy/fake laugh.....which, I've gotten pretty good at......because I have no idea how to respond to any of those comments.
OP: Where are you going to go when you reach __________(whatever destination that I mentioned)
MMRR: I'll talk about the entire ride......I'll tell them that I'm riding from Canada to Mexico......it's a Hunger Ride, etc...
OP: There is now a LONG pause. There is tension in the air. It's as if something is not right. Their wheels are definitely
turning inside their head....then I'll hear something like: "Boy, have you lost you mind?"
What follows this comment is a list of 60-65 questions that they ask in about 25-30 seconds.
MMRR: Well, um, (I bring out my fake laugh again) Yeah, it's definitely an adventure. I smile and nod.
SUMMARY OF DAY 4:
Unbelievable! There was so much excitement surrounding this day because today was the that we got to ride over the great Astoria bridge.......the LONGEST bridge in the United States at 4.2 miles. Yeah, how crazy is that?!? A bridge that is 4.2 miles long. That's crazy. That's madness. That absolutely insane. So, it's no understatement to say that when I woke up this morning I was like a little kid with his allowance, primed and ready to go to the candy store. I was ecstatic.
And, the mighty Astoria did not disappoint. It was amazing.....breathtaking. It is kind of hard to describe though. Pics don't do justice. I might say it was magnificently frightening? or something like that. While I was way exctied to go over the bridge......I was admittedly scared about the whole thing...... kind of like the first time that I went on a roller coaster......or the first time that I kissed a girl. It's cool, but there is definitley an element of fear involved. What made the Astoria crazy on this day is that we were fighting a 10-20 mph head/crosswind that was blowing us into traffic. Also, the speed limit is 55mph and we had several logging, dump, and semi trucks that we had to negotiate the small amount of shoulder space with. The bridge is a beast not doubt.......but on this day we conquered the beast by the grace of God.
**The clear picture of the Astoria bridge is courtesy of Paul While, aka "Slappy"
A SUPER BIG THANKS........
to my friends, the Sirak's (Jolynn, Savannah, Andrew) who made the trip out from Beaverton to see us in Seaside.
They are dear friends, and we had such a blast hanging out at FUnland and eating pizza at the Pizza Harbor. Unfortunately, MMRR gifts and talents in the ring did not translate into victory in a game of hoops. The first time that we played, Andrew (2nd grade) and Savannah (4th grade) took me down. Nice job guys! I'll have to practice up for a rematch when I see you guys in Southern Cal.
SHOUT OUTS.....
* Shawn Wagner of the SHilo Inn for donating an oceanfront room here at the Shilo Inn.
* Hey.....to the guy who painted "ROSE RANCH" on the barn just outside South Bend,WA......it was suppose to say "ROSE RAND" ----the name of the greatest Mom in the world......my Mommy.
3 Comments:
You forgot to mention that I am an Oregonophile. Hope the weather turns nice; you never can tell this time of year. Also the Astoria bridge is only the longest continuous truss bridge in the US. In honor of The Goonies, which was filmed around Astoria (as was The Ring 2): I like that you're growing your beard out Tom. I makes you look like One-Eyed Willie!
Slappy
Hey MMRR you are so rad! It was a huge blessing and a blast to see you today.
P.S. Andrew says he will get you a blankey.
Savannah says..."I think your wrestling name should be SUPERGIRL BLANKEY.
Hey Tom-
Great job!! It has been really fun to tell our volunteer friends about your Hunger Rides....one of them looked at your blog the other day and thought it was awesome. It is fun having friends with different giftings being used for the same purposes as your own. Keep up the good work!
Lauren & Jenny
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